Submersible automatic bilge pump



Feb. 23, 1954 R. R. LOVETT, JR 2,669,934

SUBMERSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP Filed March 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1954 R. R. LOVE TT, JR 3 SUBMERSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP.

Filed March 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 44 jzz'amrd zzayez J7 Ma/M ATTORNEY INVENTCRQ Feb. 23, 1954 R. R. LOVETT, J

SUBMERSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1952 ATTORNEY ll 'II'IIIIII/J Feb. 23, 1954 R. R. LOVETT, JR 2,669,934

SUBMERSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP Filed March 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 d INVENTOR fizick'ardjzzareiefi ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1954 R. R. LOVETT, JR 2,669,934

SUBMEIRSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP Filed March 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 z -517. g 14 z 4 a z E5.

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23,1954

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUBMERSIBLE AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP Richard R. Lovett, Jr., Longport, N. J.

Application March 12 1952, Serial No. 276,086

Another object of the invention is to provide a bilge pump unit that will not only be fully automatic so that as the water rises the pump will start operating, but also to provide a unit wherein there is no likelihood of the water reaching certain parts of the unit to affect the motor or the driving parts of the pump or the automatic switch.

With most bilge pumps with which I am familiar, after a few months of service, water will leak around the drive shaft of the pump or motor, or the operating rods of the float, or around the inlet cable to the motor, to affect the windings of the motor, or the terminal points of the cable, or the contact points of the switch mechanism; and, if the bilge pump is used on a boat in salt water, the connections become corroded so that it is necessary at the end of the boating season, if not before, to repair the unit and/or substitute new parts for those parts that have been damaged by the salt water.

Also, with a number of pumps with which I am familiar, moisture or condensation of water will work up through the unit and cause considerable damage, calling for repairing or rebuilding the unit.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a submersible automatic bilge pump unit wherein a number of the working parts are hermetically sealed in respective chambers, while the inlet for the cable and the drive shaft of the I sealed chamber on top, of much less air capacity,

so that when the pump is submerged water may only rise to a certain height due to the air pressure in the trapped air chamber.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pump wherein the air trapped in the inverted air chamber when the unit is submerged prevents the water from rising in proportion to 11 Claims. (Cl. 103-26) thepressure or depth. Of course, the deeper the submersion, the higher the liquid will rise in the air chamber.

Still another object of the invention is to have the upper chambers so relatively small compared with the lower air chamber that mathematically the pump could be submerged to a great depth without the water rising high enough in the trapped air chamber to aifect the parts heretofore mentioned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unit having an air pressure chamber in which the shaft of the centrifugal pump is located, and to have a small chamber in the cover or dome of the unit with a very small clearance for the driving means.

Still another object of the invention is to have the inlet cable for the motor enter at the top of the trapped air chamber, so that there is no possibility of water reaching the motor.

Still another object of the invention is to mount the motor in an upright position and drive the pumpshaft from within the upper chamber or dome and to provide a very small clearance for the driving parts of the shaft to thus keep the ratio of cubic air in the upper chamber low with respect to the amount of cubic air in the trapped air chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic submersible bilge pum where, in addition to the trapped air chamber in the lower portion of the unit, the shaft of the drive pump may be further protected (as will later be mentioned) from any water passing around the same and up into the upper dome or cover, which otherwise might occur from a rocking of the boat.

Still another object of the invention is to construct a unit with an integral well for the motor, the well being lined with a cork insulation, and a trapped'air chamber partly surrounding the well, so that the motor heat is controlled by the cork insulation where the heat of the motor might come in contact with portions of the housing directly cooled by water. The motor heat may then be dissipated through the portions of the housing which are in contact with the air in the interior of the trapped'air chamber, and also be discharged through a plastic cover or dome (which will be hereinafter mentioned) over the drive.

Still another object of the invention is to insulate the well with cork and to combine the same with a non-conductive drive to thus eliminate any possibility of induced electrolitic action Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a boat hull and showing the position of the bilge pump,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the unit with parts broken away, and other parts in section, for clearness of illustration,

or cover removed,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the unit with the lower plate removed,

Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, the dotted lines showing the position of the float when in its raised position,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view, showing the chamber and the mercury switch, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical section, showing the mercury switch and the linkage to the float, taken on line 'l-'l of Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, detailed view, showing the mercury switch and its linkage in its cut-out position,

Fig. :9 is a similar view, but showing the linkage in position about to actuate the switch,

vFig. 10 is a similar view, but showing the mercury switch in its cut-in or operative position,

Fig. 11 is a detailed, sectional view'of the mercury switch, taken on line I l|-l of Fig. 8,

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the cover or dome,

Fig. 13is a horizontal section of the motor casing and well, taken approximately on line I3l3 of Fig. 5 the motor being omitted,

Fig. 14 is a vertical, sectional view taken on line 4-! 4 of Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 is a vertical, sectional view through the dome, on line I5--l 5 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view, showing the float and its linkage for operating the mercury switch,

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary, sectional view, showing the lead-in cable passing up through the top of the trapped air chamber to the motor, taken approximately on line 'I 'll I of Fig. 3,

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit controlling the motor by the mercury switch,

Fig. 19 is a detailed sectional view, showing a modified form wherein a micro-switch is used rather than a mercury switch,

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of astill further modified form of unit or bilge pump, also showing the micro-switch instead of the mercury switch,

Fig. 21 is a vertical section taken approximately on line 2 I2I of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a vertical, transverse section taken on line 22Z2 of Figs. 20 and 21,

23 is a bottom plan view of the plastic dome of the modified form of unit,

Fig. 24 is an elevation of the micro-switch op erating cam with the lower end in section, and

Fig, 25 is a fragmentary perspective of the connection between the float arms and operating rod for the micro-switch cam.

At the outset, it might be mentioned that the unit is primarily a bil e pump, but it will be understood that the same with a larger motor and parts may efficiently be used wherever it is desirable to have a submersible pump, such as in cellars or basements, etc.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the unit comprises a base plate I, which is to be secured to the upper surface of the keel in the bilge of a boat; while threaded within the plate I, at the four corners are the supporting posts 2. On these supporting posts 2 is supported the remainder of the unit. By supporting the unit in this manner, the same may he removed quickly from the base plate 1 when and if necessary.

Referring now more particularly to the unit, there .is shown the metal housing 3 having an integral top plate 4, through which the aforementioned posts 2 pass to support the unit on the plate .I.. integrally formed on the undersurface of the top plate 4 is a Well 5 closed at its bottomii and open at its top 1.

As may be seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the top plate l-extends out beyond the rear wall 8 :of the well 5 as at 9, while partly encircling this rear wall; 8 is the metal float H], which will rise andfall.

beneath the over-hanging part 9 of the top plate '4.

Also' depending integrally from the top plate whose rear portion is a metal casing ll reality forms the rear wall 8 of the aforementioned well 5. The :side walls of this casing i l. are tangent to the well .5 to forms. trappedair chamber .l 2 which extends to the front ofthewell 5 and partly around the sides thereof.

Thus, there is a top plate 4, a depending :casing i. H, and a well 5 within the casing Il,-a part of the casing H forming a part of the well 5, and;

the well 5 less in area than the casing .H' to chamber l3, for housing a mercury switch 14 (hereinafter to be mentioned). This chamber 13 is open at its top 15, while the walls l3 depend from the top plate l; or, in other words, this integral chamber 13 is located in the .upper por tion of the trapped air chamber 2,.

Without considering the dome or cover (to be hereinafter mentioned), it will be seen that in the air chamber it there is a well 5, in which is to be housed a motor .(to be hereinafter .-men--; tioned), and'a small chamber .13 for housing the mercury switch M.

It is desirable to keep the amount of air in the unit (cover or dome) above the 'trappedwair chamber l2 to a minimum, as the ratio or the trapped air to the untrapped air in the unit will" regulate the height to which the water may .rise'" within the trapped air chamber 12.

Along the lower edge of the casing .H the walls of the casing H are cut .away at :16 (-asmaybe. seen in Fig. 2) so that the watermay enter through the bottom of the centrifugal pump I11,

which bottom is spaced slightly above therlowerplate I (as may be seen in Figs. 2 andrfi)- This centrifugal pump .ll consistsqof the ca'sing'er housing It with its outlet 19, which will be .con-q nected to a small hose 20 (shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1) and discharge as :at 21 above the water line of the boat.

Extending down within the housing 18 of the centrifugal pump 1! J is the driven-shaft 22 .011 the lower end of which i threaded the impeller 52 3 The shaft 22 fits within an aperture za'zwhichis an integral part of the walls of the well v 5,

also extends between the aforementioned chamber I3 and a wall of the well 5. There is a bearing 25 near the upper end of the shaft 22, and on this shaft 22, extending above the top plate 4, is a small, horizontally positioned pulley or drivewheel 26, which is grooved to receive two or more endless coiled springs 21.

In the well 5 may be seen the motor 28, in the present instance a relatively small one, one of forty-two watts that operates on a six-volt battery, the motor 28 being set in a vertical position with the drive shaft 29 extending upwardly. At the end of this drive shaft 29 is a like pulley wheel 30, which is grooved to receive the endless coiled springs 21. Thus, when the motor 28 is switched on, it will drive the centrifugal pump I I through the aforementioned endless coiled springs 21 and the pulleys 26 and 30.

It will be understood that although I have shown endless coiled springs for the drive between the driving means and the driven means, other forms of belts might be used; or, a frictional drive or meshing gears may be substituted.

With a small motor as mentioned, I have found that the pump can discharge approximately five gallons of water in one minute.

The centrifugal pump I1 has a boss 3I that extends to the bottom wall 6 of the well 5. There is no packing or seal in this boss 3I through which the shaft 22 extends, and thus the problem of the centrifugal pump I1 becoming airbound is eliminated. When the water rises in the centrifugal pump I1, the air passes out through the clearance around the shaft 22 and the pump I1 is primed even though the discharge line may be trapped.

When the pump I1 starts operating due to the float I rising, as will be mentioned shortly, the water will have covered the inlet port of the pump I1, and the air will be drawn out of the pump I1 and the water will rise slightly above the top of the pump I1, at which time a small portion of water is forced through the bearing and boss 3I, which water will act as a lubricant, a coolant, and also an effective seal. It will be understood that there is no seal or packing around the shaft 22 or in the boss 3I, so that the air can be forced out of the pump I1, and then a small amount of water is also forced through the bearing to effect a water seal. The absence of a packin also permits the free rotation of the shaft 22.

It will also be noticed, especially from Fig. 5, that filling up the well an asbestos or a mastic, or any other desired filling 32. This filling 32 is also under the motor 28 so that any air space not occupied by the motor 28 in the well 5 will be filled, to thus reduce the air space to a minimum.

It will also be noticed around the inner walls of the well 5 there is a cork insulation 33 which controls the dissipation of the heat and tends to overcome any condensation of moisture about the motor 28, and also eliminates the possibility of anyelectrolitic action which might be caused by a slight electrical leak.

It will also be noticed that I cork-line the switch chamber I 3 with a like cork insulation 34. Referring next to the float mechanism In and its linkage with the aforementioned mercury switch I 4, reference is made to Fig. 11, where there is shown a hollow metal sealed float I 8 which is arcuate on its inner face as at 35 and tapers slightly upwardly on its inner face as at 36 (as may be seen in Fig. 5), so that it willclear...

5 around the motor 28 is the outer wall8 of the well 5 as'it rises from-- its lower position.

Extending rearwardly from this metal float I0 are the opposite arms 31 and 31 which extendrearwardly and then bend back on themselves at 38 and 38 and then are connected by the cross-' bar 39. Extending upwardly from an arm 38 is the actuating rod 40 which is pivoted at its lower end at 4| to said arm 38', and then passes (as may be seen in Fig. '1) through the top plate 4, and is then bent as at 42 to connect with an arm 43-, which is part of the mercury switch I4.

Referring now for the moment to the mercury switch I4 (shown in detail in Figs. 8, 9 and 10) there will be seen a small supporting screw 44 on which is pivotally supported the mercury switch I4 that has the bands v45, through the lower ends of which pass the aforementioned supporting screw 44. There also may be seen the bracket 46 of which the arm 43' is an integral part, which bracket 46 is likewise pivotally supported on the aforementioned screw or post 44.

In the body portion 41 of the bracket 46 there is an arcuate slot 48 through which passes the nib 49 on the lower part of the bands 45 thatencircle the switch I4 and support the switch I4 on the post 44.

To insure the tripover of the mercury switch passes the dead center the spring 50 will tend to snap the mercury switch I4 to its cut-in position. This insures a positive and quick movement of the mercury switch I4.

In Figs. 8, 9, l0 and 11, the mercury switch I4 is shown in detail. Fig. 8 shows the mercury switch I4 in its cut-out position and as the actuating rod 40 is raised, the end wall of the arcuate slot 48 will eventually contact with the nib 49 and tip the mercury switch I4 to the position shown in Fig. 10. When the rod 48 is lowered,-

the operation is just the reverse.

Due to the arcuate slot 48 and the time that it takes the end wall of the slot 48 to contact with the nib 49, will let the water rise in the air chamber I2 to the line marked in on Fig. 5. The pump I1 will then operate to lower the water to the line marked out as shown in Fig. 5,

when the pump I1 will cease to operate. In other words, the arrangement of the mercury switch I4 and the arcuate slot 48 prevents the pump II from continually cutting in and out on just a slight rise of the water.

Also, by having the small spring 50 shown, it

assists in tripping the pump I1 over the dead center.

In Fig. 14 there is diagrammatically shown the lead-in wires a and b and the mercury switch is controlled by the movement of the aforementioned mercury switch I4, which in turn is actuated by the float IIJ.

Referring now to the plastic cover or dome 5|, A

as shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 12 and 13, there will be seen that it is made out of heavy transparent plastic, which is milled or formed with a chamber 52, which is just large enough to encase the aforementioned pulley wheels 26 and 30 and al- "f .low for their free movement, but to hold air space I4 and the motor 28, showing that the motor 28' to "a minimum. plastic". dome BI is held in place by numerous screws '53 which are in turned secured in the top plate A, there being a gasket '54 between the top plate 4 and the said dome or cover 55 to make theisame :air-tightand water-might.

is also milled .in this dome or cover 51 the relatively small chamber 5.5 into which :extends the top of the trip rod on for operating the mercury switch 55. ,Also, the dome or cover is milled out slightly .as at 56 (as may beseen in Fig. '12) to receive :a bond 5] of the main inlet cable 58, which in turn leads to the 14 for the control of .the motor :2 8,

Thus, in the dome or cover :5! there is the largest chamber o2, the very small chamber 155,, and the small cut-out portion 55 for the lead-in cables 5.8. the air space in the dome :51- is kept asll'ow as possible :so the water will not rise too high the aforementioned trapped air chamber .12. By having this dome or cover ill made of transparent plastic, the working parts, that the pulleys 2:6 and 39., and the switch M may be seen. and in case of repair, the cover 5i can be removed quickly and easily.

vThief-err mg for the moment to Figs. 3 and 1"], it will be seen that the inlet cable 53 passes into the unit 4 at its lower edge through one of the openin s around the casing H, and passes upwardlythroush the trapped air chamber 1'2 and through the small opening i2 between the chainboil L3 and the well .5, for connection with the switch [4. Thus the water being under pressure in the air chamber 12 will never reach the opening -59 and the top plate 4 to pass into the dome 5i and over the motor 28,. However, to guard against splash in the event of heavy rolling and pitch ng in rough seas, there is a mastic or seal as, at Gil about the cable :58 where it passes through the top plate 4 and up into the dome.

Also, as may be seen in Fig. .7, the tip-uprod.

40 passes up through the top plate 4 at the top of the trapped air chamber 12 so that there is little possibility of water leaking around the orifioe El the top plate 4 through which theatersmentioned rod ll passes.

However, to avoid any possibility of water splashing from a heavy rocking or rolling of the boat, and as an extra safeguard, l secure :a small boot or bellows 62 to the tip-up rod 4i) near the upper end of the tip-up rod 453 and bearing on the under-surface of the upper plate a, to thus doubly prevent any water from passing up through the orifice -51 and from this orifice .61

possibly into the motor switch chamber 13.

It will be seen that by providing a trapped air chamber l2 through which the upper part of the cable 58 passes to the mercury switch I 4, and the top part of the tip-up rod it passes through the base plate I and the topof the trapped'air chamber l2 and the drive shaft 22 of the pump II also passes through this air space, there is no likelihood of any water passing up into the dome or cover 5! where it would run down into the electrical parts to damage the pump.

Around the unit there may be seen a screen 68 to keep any foreign substance from getting into the bilge pump.

It. will be seen that I have provided a very compact unit measuring around 4 in width,

7 in length, and 6 A" in height, so that it can easily be placed on the heel and not interfere with thefloor hoards of the boat. Furthermore,

by having the unit seemed to a bas plate'whieh in turn is secured to the ikBEl, the unit can be rcmoved quickly from the base plate.

Iihe plastic cover or dome 5| permits easy inspection and can he removed quickly and readi- 1y if ewer necessary to renew the belts, although I have found in actual practice that they show no signs of wear in a thousand hours of use.

The operation of the pump is extremely :sim, ple. As the water rises in the bilge to about the top of the line marked in? (Fig. 2) the float 1:0 will have raised to its upper position to turn snap the mercury switch '14 to its cut-in position; and the pump will be primed and immedh ately start to pump the water from the bill-it This continue until the water again lowers I the .float m to its cut-out position, which willin turn operate the mercury switch 1:4 :to

out out the motor 211.

Referring now to Figs. 2c

are substantially the same as in the preferred form, the main difierenees being that rather than employing a mercury Iemploy a micro-- switch, which takes up less room in the unit and:

There is also shown the motor I05 which drives through the pulley Y and "the belts lfl'l, the

pump drive shaft W8 on which there is a pulley i519. similar .to the pulleys ms.

The drive shaft or impeller shaft 108 is pro vided with the impeller Hi9 that fits within the H0, to the preferredform, the inlet being at the bottom H1 and outlet of the pump being shown at 112, will discharge above the water line of the hull. There is a float H3 which is (connected by the two arms I I4 and H5 which are pivoted at their rear endsin the casing similar to the preferred form, but these arms 1 l4 and H5 form a loop as at H6 (see Fig. .25) at their rear, to which is connected the actuating rod ill, which pump or casing extends upwardly (as may be seen in Fig. 22) and has a small ball H8 which fits in the bottom-oi the vertical cam I I9; which cam H9 in turn op v erates Within the collar I20 (as may be seen in- Fig. 22)., the cam Hli being raised and lowered by the action of the float H3 audits linkage ill and I l 5 and the actuating rod! IT.

:In this collar Z1210 there is an aperture lZl (Fig.

22,) which recruited a small ball bearing i212 which presses against the stub arm-or nose 123 ora micro switoh 4 24.- The micro-switch is not illustrated in detail, but as is well known, it op erates on a movement of substantially ten-' thous'andths of an inch.

It will be noticed that this microswitch 124 is located above the top plate mo and in a small:

chamber I25 that is formed in the plastic dome :or cover 126, which will be referred to shortly.

"Located on the upper end of the tip-up rod- H1 is a-boot 121 that encases the lower part of the collar 1'20, and this boot or bellows I2] con-, tracts or expands with a movement of the actuattng rod 1 l'? to prevent any splash or moisture.

'ifromworking 'up-aroundthecam H9.

to 25 inclusive, there is. shown a modified :form of bilge pump or wherein the principles andimost of the structure through the upper plate I00.

It will be remembered that this collar I20 and boot I21 are located within the trapped air chamber I04 so that the water never rises to a level of the boot I21, and the boot I2? is added as an extra precaution.

The cam I I9 has a reduced face as at I28 and is slightly enlarged at I29 and has a still greater 1 circumference at I30. Thus when the cam [I9 face I30 finally contacts with the aforementioned ball I22.

In this micro-switch I24 the linkage H4 and Q I I5 to the float I I3 do not have to rise and lower to the same extent as in the preferred form, making it possible to mount the actuating rod I II, as shown, at the rear of the arms I I4 and I I5.

After the pump has operated some time, to lower the water the float II3 will, of course, de-

scend; and in turn the cam H9 will lower and continue to lower until the water reaches the level marked "out in Fig. 21, and the ball I22 and cam II9 will again be in the position shown in Fig. 22.

In the cover or dome I26 (as shown in Fig. 23) the air capacity I3I for the aforementioned pulley wheels I06 and I09, the micro-switch I24 and the a collar I20 of the chamber I04, is kept to a minimum so that the air capacity in the dome I26 is relatively small to the air capacity in the trapped air chamber I04.

Another difference of importance is that surrounding the shaft I08 there is located a tube I32 which extends from the pump casing IOI up and As also may be noticed, near the lower end of the tube I32 there .is a small opening I33 and a like small opening I34 at the upper end of the tube I32 just below the plate I00. Thus a small amount of water 'may pass around the shaft I08 through the aperture I33 to lubricate and cool the same, and any .air may also pass in or out of the tube I32 through the orifice I34. The amount of water mentioned is just a drip and will go back into the bilge.

The well I02 is cork-lined as at I35 to absorb any heat from the motor I05.

' In Fig. 20, there is shown the cable I36, one

wire I3I leading to the micro-switch I24 and the other one I38 leading to the motor I05, and then from the motor I05 at I39 to the other terminal of the micro-switch I24 as at I40.

In Fig. 19, there is also shown a slightly further modification of the cam, and in this instance 123 of the micro-switch I24.

Thus, it will be seen that as in the preferred "form, the modification shown in Figs. 20 to 25 inclusive, has the actuating rod and the cable and the pump drive shaft all passing through the top plate of the unit into the dome through the trapped air chamber I04.

1" It will be understood that the dome or cover J26 is formed of transparent plastic and in fact the entire casing ofv the unit maybe formed of P1 f 1 ,1 l.

As may be seen in Fig. 21, I place a screen I42 around the unit to keep foreign substances from passing up into the centrifugal pump I I0; and it will be understood that the unit is fastened on a base plate I43 similar to the preferred form. In fact, the unit is the same, with the exception of those features pointed out, that is, a difference in the linkage, a difference in the operating cam, the provision of a chamber I25 for holding the micro-switch I24 in the plastic dome I26 rather than in the body of the unit, and the tube I3 about the pump shaft I08.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that in all forms I have provided an automatic bilge pump that occupies but little space, being exceedingly compact; is efficient in service; and is so arranged and constructed that there is no possibility of water passing through the unit up into the dome to in any way affect the mechanical or electrical mechanism.

Furthermore, after long usage, in case of any repairs being needed, it is a simple matter to remove the hermetically sealed dome and get at any of the working parts that might need attention.

It will also be seen that there is no necessity of lubricating any of the parts, and no bearings to be re-packed or sealed, so that the pump should ive thousands of hours of service Without attention.

Many slight changes might be made without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Havin thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, a casing having a top plate and an integral well, closed at its bottom and depending from said top plate, the side walls of said casing being tangent to said well and forming a trapped air chamber under a part of the top plate and partially around said well; a vertically positioned motor in said well and having its drive-shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump also having its drive-shaft located in said trapped air chamber and the upper end of said shaft extending through said top plate; means extending between the drive-shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving said pump shaft; a hermetically sealed dome secured to and extending over the said top plate and housing said above-mentioned means; an electric switch remote from the water level in circuit with said motor; a float mechanism including a 'rod connected to said switch 'for cutting in and out said switch as the water rises and falls above the bilge pump; an electric feed cable passing through the trapped air chamber and the said top plate and connected to said switch and said motor above the said trapped air chamber; and the said rod connecting said switch and the said pump shaft also passing through said trapped air chamber into said hermetically sealed dome.

2. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, a casing having a top plate and an integral well, closed at its bottom and depending from said top plate, the side walls of said casing being tangent to said well and forming a trapped air chamber under a part of the top plate and partially around said well; a vertically positioned motor in said well and having its drive shaft extending upwardly through'and above the saidftop plate; a centrifugal pump also having its'drive shaft located in said trapped air chamber and the upper end of said shaft extending through said top plate: means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for top plate and housing said above mentioned means; an electric switch remote from the water level in circuit with said motor; a float mechanism including a rod connected to said switch for cutting in and out said switch as the water rises and falls above the bilge pump; an electric feed cable passing through the trapped air chamber and the said: top. plate and connected to said switch and said motor above the said trapped air chamber; the. said rod connecting said switch and the said: pump shaft also passing through said. trapped air chamber into. said hermetically sealed dome; and additional means: for sealing the cable and the said rod connecting said switchwhere they pass from the trapped air chamber into said top plate.

3 In a. submersible automatic. bilge pump, a housing having a top platev and an integral well closed at its bottom depending from said topplain; thewallszof said housing forming a trapped air. chamber under a portion of the. top plate and partially around said: well; a vertically positioned motor'insaid' well, having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal: pump having its. drive shaft also: located in said trapped: air chamber, and the said shaft also extending at its. upper end through said" top'. plate; connecting meansextending. between the driveshaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving said pump shaft; a hermetically sealed; dome extending over the. top plate and; havin a chamber therein, said connectingmeans: housed; in said chamber; an electric: switch; in; circuit with the motor; a sealed chamber for said: switch, located: above the said trapped air: chamber; a float mechanism includa. rod connected. to said switch. for cutting imandr out" said switch as the: water risesand falls aboutithe-bilge pump an electric feed cablepassm through; the. trapped air chamber and the top plate: and. connected to the said switch and said motor within the; chamber in the sealed and: the said; rod; connectin said: switch and: the said pumpshaft also! passing; through the trapped air chamber intcn the: hermetically sealed: dome to prevent any water from reaching theimotor or'th'e said switch.

45.11:. a submersible automaticv bilge pump,. a casing open at its.bottom..and having a top plate, integral well closed at its bottom and the walls of the casing forming a-trap-ped airchamber under a portion; of the top plate; 'a vertically positioned: motor in said well and having its drive shaft. extending upwardly-through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its driveshaft al'so located in said trapped airchamher; the said shaft: at its upper end extending through the said top; plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump: shaft for driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome-extending over the said top plate and provided with achamber for housing the driving means. extending between the drive shaft of the motor: and the pump shaft; a further sealed chamber in. the casing remote from the water level.- for housing an electric switch; an electric switch. in said. chamber and: in. circuit with the motor: a float. mechanismincluding a rod con uected to; said switch. for cutting in out said switch asthe waterrises and falls aboutJthe bilge pump; an electric feed: cable passing through the trapped: air chamber and the top plate and connected to the said switch and to the said motor, the connectionsbeing. within the dome; and thesaid rod connecting said switch and the said pump shaft also passing through said trapped air chamber and into. said hermetically sealed: dome.

5. In a. submersible automatic bilge pump, a casing including. a top. plate. an integral: well closed at: itsbottom for housing; a motor, the side walls of the casing being tangenttothesaid well, forming a trapped. air chamber under the top plate and partially around said well; a-verticazlly positioned motor in said well and having: its drive shaft. extending upwardly'through and above said top plate; a. centrifugal pump located: near the bottom of the: casing and: having drive: shaft passing through trapped air chamber, the upper end. of the saidshaftextending'through the said,- top: plate; means extending between the drive: shaft. of the motor and the pump for drtving said pump; a hermetically'sealed plastic dome extending over the top plate and alchember to receive; the above mentioned means: an electric switch in circuit. with. said; motor and also located above the top plate and the hermetically sealed dome; a float; mechanism including a rod for cutting in and saidl above mentioned switch as the water rises and falls about. the: bilge: pump; an. electric? teed. cable,

passing, through the: trapped; air chamber and the: topplate connected to said switch. and the said motor, the connections beingwithin the chamber in said; dome; the. said; cable, the said rodcooperating with said; switch and the: upper end! of said pump shattall passing through the saidtrapped air chamber into theichamber'irrtlte hermetically sealed dome;

6-. In a, submersible automatic; bilge? pump an open casing having a. top. plate;. an integral well closed at its bottom-,.the walls of the. casingtfornring a trapped air chamber under a: portion of the top plate; a vertically positi'onedi motonih saidwell and having its drive shattextending upwardly through and above the said topplate; a centrifugal pump: having its drive shaft also located in said trapped. air chamber;, the said shaft at its upper end extending throughthesaid top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of" the motor. andthe: pump-shaft for drining; the latter; a. hermetically sealed dome; extending over thesaid top plate andprovidedzwith a chamber fonhousing. the drivinggmeans extend:- ing; between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a. furthersealed chamber" casing, just below the top plate: for housing, an electric switch; a tip-up. mercury switch; in. said last mentioned. chamber and: in circuitwitlr the motor; a float mechanismincluding, a. rod-comnected to said. switch for cutting in and out said switch as. the-water'rises anduf'ails abouttthabil'ge pump-g an. electric-feed cable passing. through the trapped air chamber: and the. top plate and colinected to the said switch and to the said; motor, the connections.- being withinthe chamber in: the dome v and the said rodl connecting said switch and. the said pump shaft also: passing; through said trapped air. chamber and into said her"- metically sealed dome.

'7. In asubmersible automatic: bilge pump}. an open casing: having: 5:. top plate. an integral well closed at". its; bottom: and the. walls of the casing forming a trapped air chamber under a pcrtiim of the top plate; a vertically positioned-motor in said well and having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its drive'shaft also located in said trapped air chamber; the said shaft at its upper end extending through the said top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome extending over the said top plate and provided with a chamber for housing the driving means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a further sealed chamber in the dome above the top plate for housing an electric switch; an electric microswitch in said last mentioned chamber and in a circuit with the motor; a floating mechanism including a rod connected to said micro-switch for cutting the same in and out as the water rises and falls about the bilge pump; an electric feed, cable passing through the trapped air chamber and the top plate and connected to said micro-switch and the said motor, the connections being within the chamber in the dome; and the said rod connecting said micro-switch and the said pump shaft also passing through the said trapped air chamber and into the said hermetically sealed dome.

8. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, an open casing having a top plate, an integral well closed at its bottom and the walls of the casing forming a trapped air chamber under a portion of the top plate; a vertically positioned mtor in said well, having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its drive shaft also located in said trapped air chamber, the said shaft at its upper end extending through the said top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for -.L

driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome extending over the said top plate and provided with a chamber for housing the driving means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a further sealed chamber in the dome above the top plate for housing an electric switch; an electric micro-switch in said last mentioned chamber and in circuit with the motor; a float mechanism including a rod having a cam on its upper end cooperating with the micro-switch for cutting in and out said switch as the water rises and falls about the bilge pump; an electric feed cable passing through the trapped air chamber and the top plate and connected to said switch and to the said motor, the

connections being within the chamber in the dome; and the said rod connecting said switch and the said pump shaft also passing through the said trapped air chamber and into the said hermetically sealed dome.

9. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, an open casing having a top plate, an integral well closed at its bottom and the walls of the casing forming a trapped air chamber under a portion of the top plate; a vertically positioned motor in said well, having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its drive shaft also located in said trapped air chamber, the said shaft at its upper end extending through the said top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome extending over the said top plate and provided with a chamber for housing the driving l4 .meanstextending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a, further sealed chamber in the dome above the top plate for housing an electric switch; an electric microswitch in said last mentioned chamber and in circuit with the motor; a float mechanism including a rod; a cam on the upper end of the rod cooperating with said micro-switch for cutting in and out said micro-switch when the float has risen respectively to its maximum position and cutting out the switch when the float-i in its lowermost position; an electric feed cable passing throughethe trapped air chamber and the top plate and connected to the said switch and to the said motor, the connections being within the chamber in the said dome; and the said rod connecting said switch and the said pump shaft also passing through the said trapped air chamber into the said hermetically sealed dome.

10. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, an open casing having a top plate, an integral well closed at its bottom and the walls of the casing forming a trapped air chamber under a portion of the top plate; a vertically positioned motor in said well, having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its drive shaft also located in said trapped air chamber, the said shaft at its upper end extending through the said top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome extending over the said top plate and provided with a chamber for housing the driving means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a further sealed chamber in the dome above the top plate for housing an electric switch; an electric micro-switch in said last mentioned chamber and in circuit with the motor; a float mechanism including a rod; a cam on the upper end of the rod cooperating with said micro-switchfor cutting in and out said micro-switch when the float has risen respectively to its maximum position and cutting out the switch when the float is in its lowermost position; an electric feed cable passing through the trapped air chamber and the top plate and connected to the said switch and to the said motor, the connections being within the chamber in the said dome; the said rod connecting said switch and the said pump shaft also passing through the said trapped air chamber into the said hermetically sealed dome; and a bellows secured on the upper end of the said rod to provide an additional sealing about the rod where it passes into the dome and to prevent any water or moisture reaching the cam or the said micro-switch.

11. In a submersible automatic bilge pump, an open casing having a top plate, an integral well closed at its bottom, the walls of the casing forming a trapped air chamber under a portion of the top plate; a vertically positioned motor in said well, having its drive shaft extending upwardly through and above the said top plate; a centrifugal pump having its drive shaft also located in said trapped air chamber, the said shaft at its upper end extending through the said top plate; means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft for driving the latter; a hermetically sealed dome extending over the said top plate and provided with a chamber for housing the driving means extending between the drive shaft of the motor and the pump shaft; a further sealed chamber gm the dome above the top plate for housing an eiectuicswitch; an electric micro-switch in said cable: passing through the said. trapped. air cham- Ber: and; the top plate and connected to the said switch and to the saidmotor, theconnections Number 16 within the chamber in: the said dome; and the rod connecting said, switch and. the said pump shaft also passing through the: trapped air chamber" and into the said hermetically sealed 5 dome.

RIGHARD R. LOVETT, JR.

References emam the file ofi this patent- STATES? PATENTS 7 Name Date 1,812,874 'Hedgion i July 7; I931 

